Rainwater Harvesting and Climate Change

Global Climate Change is the most serious issue confronting our world as a result of the increased use of fossil fuels to power our energy sources.

The water cycle is badly impacted when temperatures rise. According to experts, every 1°F increase in temperature causes 4% more water to evaporate.

This means that where there is water, more water evaporates as the temperature rises, and where there is no water, the temperature rises, leading the area to become dryer and hotter.

As more water evaporates into the sky, the atmosphere gets more saturated, which causes more storms and rain. All of this has led to increased flooding in certain regions of the world and increased drought in others. These variations in air pressure also contribute to skewed weather patterns and an increase in storms and violent weather systems.

Water harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater for future use, and it can be used to offset the effects of climate change. In drier places, rainwater can be collected to supplement the local water supply and used for watering plants and washing clothes, as well as for human and animal consumption and firefighting. If water harvesting is done on a large enough scale, it can help to drought-proof an area.

Water harvesting is utilised for the same goals in wetter locations, but it can also be used to limit water runoff, prevent erosion and other damage, and relieve demand on existing water infrastructure. Water harvesting can also help to reduce evaporation caused by rising temperatures because the water is stored and used as needed.

Rainwater harvesting can also help to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. People who collect more water are less reliant on major water catchment, treatment, and distribution plants with their large machines and engines that consume a lot of energy.

One of the most effective methods is to collect rainwater from roofs and divert it into water tanks for storage and subsequent use via gutters and pipes. Another option is to build a location so that water run-off is slowed enough that it is absorbed into the ground, improving the soil and adjacent surroundings. Ground contours are frequently used for this purpose. This helps to refresh the entire region with water and allows for the regeneration of microorganisms and plants, resulting in richer and more nutritious soils.

Many jurisdictions are heavily investing in various sorts of water harvesting for these many goals. This is especially critical in areas prone to heavy storms or severe droughts.